Distributor control system for liquids



Sept. 2, 1952 R. B. zlEGLEF DISTRIBUTOR CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LIQUIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 29, 194'?V m. m n A sept. 2,- 1952 Filed Jan. 29, 194.1A l

` R. B. zlEGLER `DISTRIBUTOR CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LIQUIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNEssEs www ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 2, 1952 R. B. zxEGLER DISTRIBUTOR CCNTROI.. SYSTEM FOR LIQUIDS 4 sheets-smet :s

Filed Jan. 29, 194'? m m T A R. B. zlEGLER DISTRIBUTOR CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LIQUIDS Sept. 2, 1952 Filed Jan. 29, 194'? FIG. ZI.

Ffa Z3.

INVENTR.- RaZpMZz'eglez',

' A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 2, 1952 l 2,608,988 c DISTRIBUTOR CONTR-.0L SYSTEM'FOR LIQUIDS Ralph B. Ziegler, Philadelphia, Pa., assigner lto PhiladelphiaI Valve Company, Philadelphia, Ba.,

a copartnership f Application January 29, 1947, Seria-l No; 725,134

This -inyention has general reference t9 .diS- tributor-controlf systemsl for liquids while Vit relates, more particularly. to the piping arrange,- rnentof ltank yehiclesor Atrucks such as are come monly -used -in the transportation `of fuel oils, or gasoline `Vend so forth, intended 591' the servicing of airplanes.

.trucks and similar ,vehicles at present generally used for lthe purpose 4of `seryicing 4airplanes are equipped with two complete pumping Systems por sections, s0 that the tanks of two planes may be tiled ,simultaneously :in order to sneed-.up delivery Frequently; hot/ eren dferentslades of .easoline orerequired on one and the se e airolane, one grads being used ffor ,werminei1p Vand x taking-ofi. and another erelieior limiting or fyine generally; hence it :is y.deSirhle that the enngisystemorl the trucks used sh nl@ include valve arrangement whh permits self-fetich of the erode Q.fosasoline t0 be pumped fpr servicing `:plnirnoses thwtgh either ,pumping -sectionpf .Said truck; y

It is, accordingly, a f u ental- @im of this invention t0 equip the @112mg System O f tank vehicles `0.1' trucks, ,of .thtype @have mei-erred t0.,

spirit and scope. It is also t0 be urther uncle?- .stood4 that this intention is applicable to other -distrikmtorreontrolv systems; and. Ythat for the purpose .of this disclosure I have merely selected a preferred type to which it appears to be Apar-- ticularly applicable. f

In the drawings:

Fig. lis a rear 1end View of the mainmeans lin- ,volved in the improyed distributor-control system for 'liquids as associated in a typical multicompentment tank-vehicle, or the transportation anddelivery of gasoline, fuel oils and so forth, `the pbody of said yehcle being indicated by dotand-.vdesh .outline only f Ql the DllPObSe- Qf Sim-f plifying the illustration. i

Fig. 2 is a, plan View taken approiiumately as xindicated by theAangledarrows I-I-I-VII 1, or with the :horse reels and associated parts removed. c

Eig. V3 zis a ,side View of Fig. V1, as seen .looking with means whereby fseleeton of the erede 0r Class of gasoline fuel Oil and S0 forth may 1b@ expeditiously eietesl tor .Serveng 0r withdrawal asdesirableer expedient l Another ,aim of 'this intention the prevsien 0f o novel distributor-@Ormel system, of the Species @bote indicated, whith A who .adapted t0 the 'balancing -Qf airplanes dile to the este ,with ivhihsasoline may be transferredfilqm one-:Wing tank -to another in accommodating ,changes Yin the type indicated, inthe ,two preceding paragraphs, VVfurther vincluding `prox/isions arranged to enable saifdfsystem `being usable as `an external pump and metering SyStemWthQll disturbing the `,contents of the tankyehicle.ortruckfcompartments. Y y

While the .above stated ,objects lare ,indicative in a ,general way vof .the airvns of this .invention others, with vancillary advantages, ,willebe evident to those .skilled -inlthe art 'upon Va full lunderstanding 7olf fthe practical `Aei'nbodiment .thereof shown by theaccompanying sheetsofdllustrative drawings: while said 'invention :fundamentally consists of .the `parts Y and l combinations of f.nfreguis hereinafter .set forth and claimed,Y with .the understanding Athat `tlfie .necessary items therein included may .be uaried in construction, proportion ,and arrangement without, departing-rom its gf isasimilefyewShowing howtherumpme fftom e 120.-@ 0r .-sellfcs 10i 'supply fiio a selected compartment or compartments .of the seryicing truckisnonially'eiected 'Y f -Sis/ View illustrating how diente@ frim the ,left hand may@ of the system may be effected through the right lhand control plugvalve ,and yriet ltwhtrld reel* Fig.,9 ,i's a similar view `to ythe preceding but illustrating yhow discharge from the right hand side of the manifold is carried out bywayof `the left hand -controlplug-valve and left-.hand reel.

lrFig. `10 is a plan View Vshowing how suction from a source of supply by Away of the lefthand www@ wenn hand'clomrol plug-iut@ te@ Selected compartment@ Qnpaftm'entS/'of thetruokis renderedpossble- Eig. 1 1 is. a similarspl'an view to the .,preeding but`showing how suction by way `ofthe fight hand pump through the left hand control plugvalve is also possible.

Fig. 12 is a plan view illustrating how transfer suction from the left hand reel through the left hand pump and meter, of the system, to the right hand reel is rendered possible.

Fig. 13 is a similar view to the preceding but showing Athe transfer suction reversed, or from the right hand side to the left hand side of the equipment.

Fig. 14 is a dial diagram hereinafter explained; and Fig. 15, sheet 3, is a diagram illustrating an additional feature preferably included in the system whereby two additional operations are made possible as hereinafter set forth.

In describing the form of this invention typied by the above identified drawings, specific terms will be employed for the sake of clarity, but it is t be understood the scope of said invention is not thereby limited; each such term being intended to embrace all reasonable equivalents which perform the same function for an analogouspurpose; while, in all the views, corresponding parts are designated by like reference characters.

Referring more in detail to the drawings and firstly to Figs. 1-3 and 5, the outline of a conventional type of multi-compartment tank vehicle for the transport of liquids, such as different grades of gasoline and/or fuel oils, is comprehensively designated by the reference character I4; while the respective tank compartments are designated by the characters I5, I6, I'I and I8, and the customary rear-section or more commonly termed utility-box by the numeral I9, Figs.3 and 5 only. l

Conveniently supported in the utility-box I9, as by bearing means 28, are adjoining reels 2l for suitably nozzled hose 22, said hose connecting by way of opposingly inclined pipes 23, 24 with one, or the upper-25--for example, of four circumferentially-spaced or diametrically-opposed branches 25, 26,21 and 28 about a pair of multiway control or distributing valves comprehensively designated 29, 30 and respectively individual to the related right and left hand pumping sections, hereinafter fully disclosed. More specifically, and for the purpose of clear differentiation the valves 29, 30 will be hereinafter designated the left-hand and right-hand distributor-control plug-valves respectively, while the associated piping connections leading therefrom and thereto will be correspondingly designated bylike reference characters, with those to the right hand by like characters plus an added prime" exponent. It is also to be particularly noted that the respective plug-valves 29, 30 are, preferably, of the five-way type disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,160,741, issued May 30, 1939, to James A. Jensen and Ralph B. Ziegler-the latter being the applicant in the instant caseexcepting for structural changes later on fully set forth herein. f Y

Leading from the branches 26 of the respective distributor-control-plug-valves 29, 38 are pipes 3I, 3| connecting into a manifold m comprising a series of cross-valves 32, 32 with intervening gate valves 33 33 and 33"; while from said cross-valves conduits 34, 34', with associated emergency valves 35, 35', communicate into the bottom of the respectively selected tank compartments I5-I8, as later on again referred to. The branches 2'I of the control plug-valves 29, 30 are in common flow-communication by a somewhat bail-shaped conduit 36; while the diametrically opposed branches 28 are respectively connected by pipes 31, 31' to individual pumps 38, 38', operative from any suitable source of power, such as the vehicle motornot shown. From the pumps 38, 38 pipes 39, 39' connect to appropriate lters 40, 40', in turn communicating by conduits 4I, 4 I with conventional meters 42, 42' and, from the latter by way of pipes 43, 43' into the outer axial end branches 44, 44' of the respective plugvalves 29, 30.

Referring now, more particularly, to Fig. 4 it is to be noted that the stem 45 of each plug-valve 29, 38 has attached thereto a lever-arm (not shown) and a wheel or indicator-dial 46 the flat periphery 41 of the latter being preferably, spacedly sub-divided by suitable markers 48, in conformity with the respective positions the valve-plug 49, is to occupy in carrying out the Various operative phases of this invention. These markers 48 are conveniently designated by single or plural characters 50, such as numerals, for example, corresponding to ten different schemes of flow or operation, as shown in Figs. 6 to 15, hereinafter set forth for registration with a stationary pointer 5I appropriately mounted on the rim 52 of the plug-valve packing-gland 53; whereas said gland is inwardly-inuenced by pressure means 54 to ensure a leakage-proof joint around the valve stem 45, as readily understood by those conversant with the art. Thus it will be seen that anyone with normal intelligence, and the aid of a suitable chart giving the number and scheme of operation, can by simple rotation of the respective indicator dials 46 quickly set the valves 29, 30.which, in itself, is an important improvement needing no further amplification.

Having explained the main structural features of this invention references will now be had, more particularly, to Figs. 5-15; in describing the novel system of distributor-control made possible by the instant improvements; or otherwise expressed, the respective operations are briey as follows. Assuming, for example only, that the tank compartments I5-I8 are full of the same gradeof gasoline, ready for normal service discharge at each side of the truck Minto a pair of airplane tanks simultaneously, with all the gatevalves 33, 33', 33" closed, and the outer cross- Valves 32, 32' open. By reference to Fig. 6, or operation No. l, which shows the position of the plug valves 29, 30 for normal discharge, say from the tank compartments I5, I6, all the operator has to do is to turn'the left and right hand plug- Valve indicator-dials 46 until the marker 48 thereon, bearing the number 1, registers with the associated pointer 5I whereupon the flow controlling arcuate-passage 55 in the respective distributor-valves 29,v 30 will be moved into the position shown. Thus it will be understood, by

following the associated arrows, that when the pump 38 is set in operation, discharge from the tank compartment I6 will be by way of the left hand outer conduit 34 to associated cross-valve 32 and pipe 3I, branch 26, arcuate-passage 55,

' pipe 31 to pump 38, thence through pipe 39 to pipe 3I', branch 26, arcuate-passage 55, branch 28 and pipe 31' to said pump 38', and from thence by way of the pipe '39', filter 40', conduit 4I', meter 42', pipe 43' to axial-branch 44' of plugvalvef, and through the plug bore 53 and radial,-

port p thereof, inclined pipe 24 to the associated reel nozzled hose 22; whereby there is effected a considerable` saving in time and labor, with a material increase in servicing delivery; Whereas it will be self-evident that by simply opening the gatetvalves33, 33 and leaving the center gatevalve 33". closed, a corresponding discharge may take place from the tanky compartments l1, VI8 by way of the inner conduits 34, 34'.

It is to be noted at this juncture that, in Figs. 6to 13 inclusive, I have indicated the active flow conduits and pipes by heavy lines, with the cor-` responding parts that are inactive by relatively lighter lines in order to facilitate clearer reading ofthe drawings in conjunction with the flowdirecting arrows.

Figure '1 illustrates operation No. 2- or how,v b

the simple expedient of turning the indicator-u dialsi'4'6. till the number 2v registers with the pointer 5|, concurrent suction from an airplane storage tank or tanks, for instance, through the hose 22 of the left and right hand reels 2|, in'- clned pipes 23, 24,` branches 25, arcuate pas-A sages 55, branches 28and pipes31, 31', of the respective distributor-control plug-valves 29, `38, to the pumps 38, 38 lis obtained; and from the latter through the pipes 39, 39 filters 48, 48', conduits 4|, 4|', meters 42, 42', pipes 43, 43', to

the gaxial branches 44, 44', plugf-bores 58 and radial ports q, q',v pipes 3|, 3|' to cross-valves 32, 324 of the manifold m and conduits 34, 34.',into the tank compartments I5, l5 respectively. It will also be readily appreciated that' by opening the gate-valves 33, 33 only a corresponding procedute can be followed via the inner,conduits 34, 34' with respect to the tank compartments I1, I8.

. Fig. 8 exemplifies operation No. 3 or how pumping from the left hand side of the manifold m through the left hand pump 38 and meter 42, out through the right hand hose 22 of reel 2l is-carried out. In other words Aboth indicator dials 45 are turned until the respective qmarkers bearing the numeral 3 are in registration with the associated pointers 5|. In such position, it will be observed that pumping from the tank compartment 4l5 is by way of the outer conduit 34` and outer cross-valve v32, pipe 3|, branch 25, plug arcuate-passage 55, branch 28 and pipe 31 to pump 38; with discharge from said pump by i" way ofthe pipe 391:0 lter 49, conduit 4|, meter 42, pipe 43 into axial branch 44 of plug-valve 29, through the bore 56 and radial port qthereof, thence by` way of branch 21 into the bail-shaped conduit 35,- branch 21 of the right-hand'plug f valve 3|] and arcuate passage 55, with outiiow therefrom through the branch 25 inclined pipe 24 into the hose 22 of the right hand reel 2|. Itis to be particularly noted that the right hand pump 38', during the just described operation, is inactive, and that no flow is taking place through any of the associated conduits and pipes or other parts, of the right hand section than those speciiied as enabling discharge from the conduit 36 to the right hand hose 22.

Fig. 9 illustrates operation No. 4 or how the procedure of Fig. 8 may be reversed; thatis to say how pumping from the right hand side of the manifold m through the right hand pump 38" and meter 42', and out through the left hand hose-reel 2| is carried out. Otherwise stated the procedure is as follows: The operator simply turns the left hand and right hand indicatordials 46 until the respective marker numerals 4 thereon register with the associated pointers 5|.

6 Ittwillnow' be seenthat flow from the tank com-l partment1|5 is by way of the outer, righthand conduit 34', outer cross-valve 32', pipe 3|', plugvalve branch 25 and arcuate-passage 55 'to branch 28 and pipe .31' tothe right hand pump 38'; with discharge from the latter through pipe 39' to lter 40",' conduit 4|':, meter .42' and pipe 43fto axial vbranch 44' 'of -the plug valve-30, through Athe ibore 56 and radial portk q. .and branch 21there`of into they conduit36, andthere-l from by way of the branch 21 of the plug `valve 29, arcuate-passage 55, branch 25. and inclined pipe 23 to the hose "22 of the left hand reel 2| It will be further understood that a correspond'- ing Aflow may be eiiected from the tank' compartment |1 b'y Way'of the inner conduit 34' vby sim-` plyopening Athe `gate-valve 33' intervening the two right handcross-valves 32' of the manifold mywhereas the left hand pump l38 is not 4func:-

tioning for a similar reason to that explainedin,

connection .with Fig. 8.

Fig, 10 fshows operation No. 5 or how suction from the left `hand hose reel 2|, through dthe left hand pump 38 and meter 42 into the right hand end of the manifold m may be carried out. With ,both indicator dials 4B turned to position designated 5 thereon, suction byway of the left hand reel hose22 to the right hand endsof .the manifold, m, when the leit hand pump 38operates is byway of the Iinclinedpipe 23, plug valve arcuatepassage i55, branch 28 and pipe *31to. said pump 38; with delivery from the latter through pipe 33 to filter 48, conduit 4|, meter 42 and pipe 43 into axialfbranch 44 and bore 58 of the plug valve 29; and thence through radial-port p, branch 21 and conduit 35l into branch 21 of'right hand plug valve 30, arcuate passage 55 and branch 26 of said valve 39, pipe 3| to outerright hand cross valve 32' and associated conduit 34 into 'tank compartment IIS.

Fig.v 11 illustrates operation No. 6 or how suction from the right hand hose-reel 2| by the associated pump 38 through the meter 42 to the left hand end of the manifold m is rendered possible. The operator having turned both indicator dials 4G to bring the numerals 5 in registration with the associated pointers 5|, lon starting the pump 38', the resultant flow is as follows. Suction through the hosev 22 of the right hand reel A2| eiects iiow through 'the branch 25 into the passage 55, and thence by way of the branch 28 and vconduit 31 to the right hand pump 38', with discharge from the latter throughpipe 39 to lter 48', conduit 4|', meter 42. and. pipe 43 into the axial branch 44 and plug bore 5B of the right-hand plug valve 30. From the Abore 56 owcontinues by way ofradial port q', ,branch 21 and conduit 36 into branch 21 of the left hand plug valve 29, thence through arcuatepassage 55, branch 28, pipe .3|, left hand outer crossvalve 32 and outer conduit 34 into thetank com'-v partment l5.

Fig. 12 shows operation No. '1 or how/transfer suction from` the left hand hose reel 2| through the left hand'pump 38 and meter 42 to the right hand hosereel 2| is accomplished. The operator vhaving set the respective indicator dials 45 at marking numerals '7, and put the left .hand pump 38 in operation, it will be observedthat a suction flow `talfres place from -the left hand through hose 22, inclined pipe 23 into plug valve branch 25 and arcuate passage 55, and thence by Way of branch 28 and pipe 31 to the pump 38, which continues by way of pipe 39, iilter 40, conduit 4|, meter 42 and pipe 43 into axial branch l44 and plug bore 56 of the left Vhand plug valve 29; with outflow therefrom through radial port p and branch 21 into the conduitl 36, and thence by `Way of branch 21, of the right hand plug, valve 30, arcuate passage 55 and branch 25 into inclined pipe 24, with discharge through hose 22 of the right hand reel 2| to Wherever required. It is to be observed that all of the conduits 34,34; cross valves 32, 32'; and associated pipes 3 I, 3 I in the right and'left hand sections of the distributor controlling means are all inactive so far as flow therethrough is concerned; Awhich comment also applies to the form ofoperation now to be explained in connection with Fig. 13.

In the form of the system illustrated in Fig. 13, or operation No. 8, the operator having set the respective indicator dials 46 at the indicator marking 8 to effect transfer suction from the right hand hose reel 2l through the right hand pump 38' and meter 42 to the left hand reel 2I, the fiow is as follows. When theV operator starts the pump 38' suction from the right hand reel hose 22, through the inclined pipe 24, branch 25, arcuate passage 55, branch 28 and pipe 31', to

said pump 38' is initiated, with outflow therefrom by way of pipe 39 to filter 40'; conduit 4 I meter 42', pipe 43 into the axial branch 44' and bore 56 of the right hand plug valve 30: thence by way of radial port q', branch 21, conduit 36, branch 2,1 into the arcuate passage 55 of the left hand plug-valve 29, with outflow from the latter by way of the branch 25 and inclined pipe 23 into the hose 22 of the left hand reel 2 I, for discharge where required or desired.

Reference is now made to Fig. 14 Which schematically illustrates the relation of the indicatordials 46 relative to the stationary pointers 5I; it will be observed that the position of the left hand valve plug 49 is the same for the fourthand-eighth, as Well as the fifth-and-seventh operations; whereas the position of the right hand valve plug 49' is the same for the third-andseventh, as well as the sixth-and-eighth operations. Accordingly the related markers 48 will bear two numbers and the remainder only one number, all of which will be readily understood by those conversant with the art.

Referring now to Fig. 15, there is therein diagrammatically shown an important adjunctive feature which is preferably associated with the means previously described; that is to say the outer left and right hand cross valves 32, 32' are respectively provided with a drain pipe 51, 51' and additional gravity gate valve 58, 58'.. Each gravity gate valve 58, 58 affords provision whereby drainage from the manifold m may take place; or either gate valve 58, 58 may be used as a suction valve or as a discharge valve, so that by attaching hoses 59, 59 to said gate valves 58, 58 it is possible to use either the right or left hand pumping section as an external transfer pumping and metering system without in any way disturbing the commodity contained in the tank or compartments II8. In other words, when discharging by gravity through either or both gate valves 58, 58 the operator simply sets the indicater-dials 45 to position No. 6 and then opens the desired gravity gate valve 58, or 58'; or alternatively by opening the righthand gate valve 58 and starting the pump 33 an external transfer suction may be made from right hand gravity gate valve 58 and pipe 51', through pump 38 and meter 42', to right hand pipe 24 and hose 22 or vice versa, in a manner Well understood by those .conversant with the artV from the preceding description.

From the foregoing the merits and advantages of this invention will be clearly understood inasmuch as the correct setting of the respective plug-valves 29, 30, for the desired service, simply entails movement or turning of the control valveplugs 49, 49 into the numbered position for each operation; while the reduction in the number of valves and piping employed not only saves over all weight but also materially aids the flow of gasoline, through the respective systems, while affording a very-compact distributor-controlling means.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In liquid distributor-controlling meansy for tank trucks and the like including plural pumping sections, with respectively associated conduit arrangements; a manifold intermediate said pumping sections and said manifold comprising crossvalves with intervening gate-valves; multi-way plug-valves connecting the respective ends of said manifold to an associated pumping section and conduit arrangement for control of supply to, and discharge from the respective tank compartments; and dial-means on the stem of each plugvalve, said dial means bearing spaced characters registerable with a stationary pointer on the associated plug-valve whereby, when said valves are set at corresponding characters, a selective now through the respective conduit arrangements and associated pumping sections is positively assured.

2. In liquid distributor-controlling means for multi-compartment tank trucks and the like, plural pumping sections and external conduit arrangements, individual to the respective tank compartments; a manifold comprising crossvalves, controlling supply to and discharge from predetermined tank compartments; gate-valves intervening said cross-valves operative to effect corresponding supply to, and discharge from, the other tank compartments; multi-way plug-valves having connection to the manifold-end crossvalves; a common now connection between'said plug-valves, and the plug of each such valve including an axial-bore, arcuate passage and radial ports for variably controlling flow through said valves; and a dial-means carried by each plug bearing corresponding indicia for positioning the valve plugs for the desired flow therethrough, and movable therewith in respect to a stationary pointer, whereby when the said plugs are set at similar indicia, and the associated pump put in. operation, av predetermined flow through each pump section and associated conduit arrangement, is positively obtained.

3. A liquid distributor-controlling means, in accordance with claim 2, wherein the plug valves are of the five-way type, wherein the dial-means consists of a control wheel-indicator having a flat peripheral portion spacedly sub-divided by distinctive character-bearing markers; and wherein two of said markers on each wheel-indicator have plural characters thereon, whereby provision is made for eight or more selective ow operations through the desired pumping sections and conduit arrangements.

4. The invention of claim 2 further including a hose-reel to each side thereof; wherein the conduit arrangements connect the respective manifold end cross-valves to individual tank compartments and the pumping sections; and wherein the dial-means each bear like position indicating numerals for the plug-valves, whereby discharge from, or suction into, the left and right hand pumping sections can be simultaneously effected by simply turning the dial-means of each plug-valve till the required numeral registers with the stationary pointer.

5. The invention of claim 2 further including a hose-reel to each side thereof; wherein the respective conduits connect the manifold crossvalve ends into associated tank compartments; wherein the respective plug-valves include a common flow connection; and wherein `the dial-means bear corresponding numerals for positioning the plug-valves so that, when the related pump is set in operation, to selectively effect discharge from the left hand manifold end through the plug-valve common flow connection to the right hand hose-reel, and vice versa.

6. The invention of claim 2 further including a hose-reel to each side thereof; wherein conduits connect the manifold end cross-valves into associated tank compartments; wherein the respective plug-valves include a common flow connection; and wherein the dial-means bear corresponding numerals for positioning the plug- Valves to selectively effect suction transfer of liquid through the left hand hose-reel and related pumping section into the right hand manifold end, plug-valve and hose-reel and vice versa.

7. The invention of claim 2 further including a hose-reel to each side thereof; wherein conduits connect the manifold ends into associated tank compartments; wherein the plug-valves include a common flow-connection; and wherein the dial-means bear corresponding numerals for positioning the plug-Valves to selectively effect transfer suction from the left hand hose-reel and associated pumping section to and through the right hand plug-valve and hose-reel for discharge from the latter as desired, and vice versa.

8. The invention of claim 2 wherein the respective plug-valves have four circumferentiallyspaced branches, and an axially-aligned branch; wherein a corresponding pair of the circumferentiahbranches are connected by a common dowconduit; wherei'n pipes connect a second circumferential-branch of each valve to a related hose; wherein a pipe from a third circumferentialbranch of each such valve connects into the related end of the manifold; wherein a loop-like conduit from the fourth circumferential-branch of the plug-valve has flow communication into the axial-branch thereof; and wherein each such loop-like conduit respectively includes a pump; a filter, and a suitable meter.

9. The invention of claim 2 further including a supplemental flow pipe from each outermost cross-valve with an associated gate-valve; and wherein means attachable to the respective supplemental gate-valves make additional provision for gravity drainage from each end of the manifold, as well as t0 effect external transfer of liquid by way of the right hand plug-valve and pumping section through the left hand pumping section, and vice versa, Without disturbing the content of the tank compartments.

RALPH B. ZIEGLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 165,925 Grzybowski July 27, 1875 312,158 Peeney Feb. 10, 1885 1,085,502 Smith Jan. 27, 1914 2,015,946 Marden Oct. 1, 1935 2,078,384 Jefferson Apr. 27, 1937 2,160,741 Jensen May 30, 1939 2,355,786 Harman et al Aug. 29, 1944 2,387,531 Rose Oct. 23, 1945 

